16:00 Brighton

Thursday 10 August 2023

All14:2515:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Star Sports Brighton Challenge Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 2m 31.37s

(1)

Premiere Ligne^t1⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: L Morris| T: H Morrison| OR: 77| D

15/2

Dual winner in France and stepped up on first 2 starts for current yard when second of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm, 9/1) 47 days ago. Can make presence felt with tongue strap back on.

Form: 061-082

(5)

Dundory^p³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Jack Kearney⁽⁵⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 73| D

14/1

Successful at Doncaster in April but below that level last 2 starts, sixth of 9 in handicap at Pontefract (12f, good to soft, 9/1) 30 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 551256

(6)

Party Island¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: D J Coakley| OR: 73| D

8/1

Creditable effort against his younger rivals when second of 4 in handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm, 7/1) 15 days ago. Can give his running again.

Form: 3-06442

(7)

Al Azhar^b²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D C Costello| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 72| D

7/2

After 8 weeks off, back to best when winning 5-runner handicap at Wolverhampton (14f, 9/4) 24 days ago, going away at the line. Going through a good spell at present and he can follow up.

Form: 68-7321

(4)

Alumnus^v⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 80| D

7/2

Off the mark at Newcastle in June. However, back on turf he looked awkward when fifth of 12 in handicap at Goodwood (11.2f, soft, 66/1) 6 days ago, hanging right. Capable if on a going day.

Form: 8-26135

(2)

Night Eagle^p,t¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 69| BF| D

6/1

Gained a first win of the season at Epsom in July and shaped as if still in good form when fifth of 14 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good, 9/2) 15 days ago. Enters calculations back up in trip.

Form: 67-5515

(9)

Bug Boy¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: A G Newcombe| OR: 65| D

8/1

Back to winning ways at Epsom in July but not in the same form when sixth of 10 in handicap at Ascot (12f, good to soft, 16/1) 13 days ago, though possibly found the ground softer than ideal.

Form: 975416

(8)

Gearing's Point¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss S West| OR: 62| BF| D

10/1

Four wins from 7 runs this year for her current yard, with latest success at Bath (11.6f) in July. Below-form fifth of 9 in handicap at the same C&D (good to soft, 9/4) 15 days ago, but could bounce back on quicker ground.

Form: 331115

(3)

Walk The Moon³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A W Carroll| OR: 62

12/1

Failed to improve on handicap debut when fifth of 7 at Haydock (10.2f, firm, 11/2) 34 days ago. Much more needed on first run for yard after leaving Ed Walker.

Form: 0-075

Result Amended

Night Eagle - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

Gearing's Point - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Forecasts

Alumnus (7/2), Al Azhar (7/2), Night Eagle (6/1), Premiere Ligne (15/2), Bug Boy (8/1), Party Island (8/1), Gearing's Point (10/1), Walk The Moon (12/1), Dundory (14/1)

AL AZHAR bounced back to his best when winning at Wolverhampton last time and he can score again in his current form. The 4-y-o is taken to see off the challenge of Premiere Ligne, who matched the pick of his French form when runner-up at Lingfield on his latest outing, while Night Eagle can also give another good account.